AND DESERTS 129 
very arid country, and appear capable of going for long 
periods without tasting water. The horns are very 
powerful, and the gemsbok is stated to be able to beat 
off the lion by means of them, but not to be swift, 
perhaps because it had few enemies till man appeared. 
on the scene. In addition to the gemsbok, other 
species of the genus Oryx occur in different parts of 
Africa, all being inhabitants of open country. 
The gazelle group, largely represented in the more 
arid regions of Asia, North Africa, &c., has a South 
African member in the springbok, once enormously 
numerous on the margin of the Kalahari desert. Other 
African species also occur. An allied form of interest- 
ing habits is Waller’s gazelle (Lithocranius wallert) from 
East Africa, which inhabits rocky districts, where 
thorn-jungle occurs, and has a remarkably long neck, 
giving it a resemblance to a miniature giraffe. It feeds 
chiefly upon twigs and leaves, and is stated to rest its 
forefeet against the trees, in order to reach the foliage. 
Among other forms we may notice the pala antelope 
(Aepyceros melampus), found among the acacia scrub 
of Southern and South-Eastern Africa, and remarkable 
for its great swiftness, and for its power of taking long 
leaps. It prefers the proximity of water. In swampy 
regions where reeds are plentiful the reitbok and water- 
buck antelopes occur, the latter seeking the water or 
swamps when pursued. On the. other hand, hilly and 
mountainous districts are inhabited by the active 
rhebok, which resembles a chamois. Of the little klip- 
springer we have already spoken (p. 84). The steinboks, 
also small animals, occur in open country or savana 
wood, but avoid hilly country. They are remarkable ~ 
for their speed and their close resemblance in colour to 
the ground. 
1404 I 
